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Northeast Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Watershield
Brasenia schreberi J.F. Gmel.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Waterlily (Nymphaeaceae)
Flowering: June-September
Field Marks: This species has elliptic to oval leaves with the leaf stalk attached to the center of the blade. The lower surface of the leaves and the stem are covered by a gelatinous material.
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, streams.
Habit: Aquatic perennial herb with slender, creeping rhizomes.
Stems: Spreading, much-branched, up to 6 feet long, covered with a gelatinous material.
Leaves: Alternate, floating, elliptic to oval, up to 5 inches long, smooth, without teeth but sometimes with a slightly wavy edge, the lower surface covered by a gelatinous material; leaf stalks often longer than the blades, attached to the middle of the blade.
Flowers: Borne singly from the axils of the leaves, dull red to purple, up to 1 1/2 inches long, borne on stout stalks as long as the leaf stalks.
Sepals: 3-4, free from each other, green or red, lanceolate, up to 3/4 inch long.
Petals: 3-4, free from each other, dull red to purple, lanceolate, up to 3/4 inch long.
Stamens: 12-18, of 2 different lengths.
Pistils: Several, free from each other, the ovaries superior.
Fruits: Club-shaped, leathery, up to 1/2 inch long, several in a cluster, each containing 1-2 seeds, each fruit tipped by the persistent style.
Notes: This species is placed in the Cabombaceae by Gleason and Cronquist. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl.

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Page Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Aug-2006 11:39:25 EDT
Menlo Park, CA [caww54]